Furniture unit with extensibleretractable chair



s. BASS 3,353,865

RETRACTABLE CHAIR Nov. 21, 1967 FURNITURE UNIT WITH EXTENSIBLE- Filed June 6, 1966 INVENTOR. Sum/5y 5455 2? M United StatesPatent O,

3,353,865 FURNITURE UNIT WITH EXTENSIBLE- RETRACTABLE CHAIR ,Sidney Bass, 10751 Missouri Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. 90025 Filed June 6, 1966, Ser. No. 555,412 8 Claims. (Cl. 297-143) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A unit of furniture in the form of a commode or end table containing a collapsible chair extensible therefrom. The back of the chair is foldable for retraction within the unit of furniture and the frame of the chair is supported .on its forward end by casters and on its rearward end .by the unit of furniture. Cooperating anti-friction guide means provide for easy extension and retraction. Cover meanshides the casters from view when the chair is retracted.

Cross-reference to related application This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior co-pending application Serial No. 443,273, now Patent No. 3,254,916 filed March 29 1965 and entitled Extensible Chair-Table Unit.

Background of the invention The invention relates to household furniture and, more particularly, to a chair which may be quickly and easily extended from and retracted into a furniture unit of conventional external appearance.

In the prior art, various disappearing tables, ironing boards and bench-type seats are provided but, there is an unfilled need for a practical unit of comfortable furniture wherein a chair or the like is retractably extensible from a low profile table-type of unit. In referring to a chair, reference is made to an article having a seat and a back and with or without arms, and is'to be distinguished from the more primitive furnishings known as stools and benches which do not have backs and arms. Further, bread-board types of extensible elements which pull out of furniture are not adaptable to the provision of comfortable furniture, since space for a back and cushions is lacking and strength balance for the support of persons is also lacking. Thus, consideration is to be given to the upholstering and to weights and balance, as related to both the chair itself and the furniture unit from which it is extensible.

Summary of the invention To solve these needs, applicdnt provides a comfortable chair which is conveniently and easily extensible and retractable relative to a low-profile unit of furniture. Mounting is such that the entire chair may be retracted within a unit of furniturein the nature of a commode or end table. The frame of the chair rides in an anti-friction guide means Within the furniture unit for ease in extension and retraction. It is significant that the frame of applicants chair cooperates with the supporting members within the unit of furniture so that legs in the form of casters are needed only on the forward end of the frame which is extended from the unit of furniture.

A facer member on the forward end of the framework of the chair may be designed to resemble that on a conventional'commode or end table so that when the chair is retracted within the unit of furniture, the chair is not only concealed from view, but gives no external indication of its presence. Advantageously, the chair may be provided with a back that is conveniently shiftable between 3,353,865 Patented Nov. 21, 1967 storage position and an erected position when the frame is extended.

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an end table or commode embodying an extensible-retractable chair constructed in accordance with the invention, the chair being illustrated in its retracted or stored position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale, except'that the chair of the invention is shown in its extended or open position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view, with selected parts being shown in section, illustrating in detail the supporting and mounting structure of the chair in its extended position;

FIG. 4 is a partial-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is afront elevational view of the furniture unit illustrated in FIG. 1 with a portion thereof broken away and removed in order to show underlying parts; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring to the drawing and, in particular, to FIG. 1, numeral 10 designates a commode or enclosed end table of conventional external appearance. Housed by the commode 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, is an extensibleretractable chair 12 constructed in accordance with the invention. The chair 12 is adapted to be quickly and easily converted from its retracted position of FIG. 1, wherein it is completely concealed within the commode 10, to its extended or in-use position of FIG. 2. This is accomplished by simply sliding it out of the commode 10 and folding a collapsible back 14 up from the phantom line position of FIG. 2 to the position shown in full lines in that figure.

The commode-chair unit 10 12 is-usable conventionally as, for example, in a living room at the end of a sofa. Such unit may, of course, be constructed in any desired furniture, styling being accomplished by use of different materials and exterior finishes and by the manner in which the various parts are shaped and proportioned. The chair in its in-use position faces right angularly with respect to the front of the commode 10, and, therefore, readily lends itself to a desirable arrangement of furniture. By way of example, reference is made to a sofa, end table orcommode arrangement, wherein the latter is placed at one end of the sofa. When extended, the chair then faces at a right angle to the facement of the sofa and toward the latter. Therefore, the present invention is advantageously made in right-and-left-hand units to the end that both L and U shaped furniture formations may be arranged.

The commode 10 is low in profile, having a top 6 that stands at approximately seat-height. Secured to anddepending from the top 16 are a rear wall 18 and sidewalls 20secured at their rearward edges to corresponding edges of the rear wall. Each of these walls 18 and 20 extends over substantially the full height of the commode 10 and is engageable at its lower edges with the underlying surface to support the commode. Thus, as distinguished from an end table, of the type that is supported on separate legs at its corners, such as the one disclosed in my prior co-pending application referred to above, the commode 10 is a substantially enclosed furniture unit.

The front of the commode 10 has an opening 22 comprising the major portion of its area. At the lower edge of the opening 22, a relatively narrow base rail 24 extending transversely between the sidewalls 20 is provided. The base rail 24, like the lower edges of the rear and side walls 18 and 20, is disposed so that its lower edge engages the underlying surface, thereby affording the unit with a firm foundation and enhancing its-closed a pearance. For purposes ofsupport, the commode illustrated also has a bottom wall 26 disposed at the level of the base rail 24 and secured atits respective edges to the rear and side walls 18 and 20 and base rail 24 by any suitable means.

The chair 12 includes a frame 28 pivotally mounting the back 14, both of which are constructed of a strong and durable material, such as ametal, so as to support the weight of the user. Mounting of the frame 28 for sliding movementnormal to the front of the commode between retracted and extended positions, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, is accomplished by support means comprising a pair of tracks 30 on the commode and cooperating anti-friction means, comprising rollers 32 secured to the frame, and by legmeans, comprising a pair of casters 34 likewise secured to the frame. A facer 36 sized and shaped in accordance with the opening 22 in the front of the commode is carried by the frame-28 at its forward end. In the retracted position of the frame 28, the facer 36 is received in close-fitting engagement in the opening 22 and serves to close the same, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The frame 28 is generally rectangular in shape and has a fiat base 38 and forward and rearward end plates 40 and 42 projecting upwardly from the opposite ends of the base. In order that the frame 28 will freely pass through the opening 22 in the commode during extension and retraction, it is slightly smaller in width than the opening. In similar regard, the height of each of end plate 40 and 42 is less than the height of the opening, and, in this instance, is considerably less. As is apparent, the length of the frame 28 is also less than that of the commode 10 in order that the former may be received entirely within the commode when retracted.

The track 30 for supporting the frame 28 for movement into and out of the commode 10 are elongated channel-like members disposed longitudinally of and secured to the commode adjacent the bottom thereof. Each extends from the front of the commode rearwardly a sufiicient distance to accommodate the full travel of the frame 28 and, in the present case, terminate adjacent therear wall 18. The bottom wall 26 of the commode serves as a convenient means for mounting the tracks 30, with each being seated on the wall and secured to it by screws 44 (FIG. 4).

Referring to FIG. 4, it may be seen that each of the rollers 32 is supported in operative position at the rearward end of the frame 28, by a mounting bracket 46 attached to the rearward end plate 42. The brackets 46 are positioned so that upon engagement of the rollers 32 with the tracks 30 in the manner shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base 38 of the frame 28 clears the tracks as the frame is moved between its operative positions. During such movement, spaced parallel side flanges 48 on each of the tracks cooperate with the respective roller 32 to maintain the latter in engagement with the track and to guide the frame.

The forward end of the frame 28 is supported by the casters 34 which are secured to the base 38 at locations adjacent but slightly inwardly of the forward end plate 40. To insure that there is no interference with the tracks 30, the casters 34 are mounted slightly inwardly of the tracks 30 and rollers 32. By virtue of the frame 28 being supported for movement at its opposite ends by the rollers 32 and casters 34, it may be easily moved between its extended and retracted positions. A particular advantage of the illustrative embodiment of the invention is that at all times the weight of the frame and structure thereon is supported by both the rollers 32 and the casters 34.

In order to avoid the possibility of the frame 28 inadvertently being pulled completely out of the commode, stop flanges 50 are provided on each of the tracks at their forward ends. The rollers engage these stop flanges in the r 4 manner shown in FIG. 4 when the frame is slid out to its fully extended position. 1

It is desirable that the casters 34, as well as all other portions of the chair, be received within the commode and concealed from view when the chair is retracted. To this end, notches 52 are provided at appropriate locations on the base rail 24. These notches 52, in turn, join corresponding notches 54 that extend rearwardly in the bottom wall 26. With this arrangement, the caster 34 passes through the notches 52 and 54 to the position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 4 when the' frame 28 is retracted, thereby allowing it to move entirely Within the commode.

The facer 36 is carried by the frame 28 in a vertical orientation in such a manner as to close the front opening 22 in the commode 10 when the frame 28 is retracted. This is accomplished by sizing and shaping the facer 36 in accordance with the opening 22 so that it is receivable therein in a relatively close fit. As may be seen in FIG. 4, the factor 36 is'mounted on the forward side of the end plate 40, having been appropriately positioned so as to be receivable in the manner specified in the opening 22. A pair of cover plates 56 cooperate with the base rail 24 to conceal the casters 34 from view when the frame is retracted, thereby enhancing the closed appearance of the commode. In the illustrative case, these cover plates 56 project downwardly from the lower edge of the facer 36, and are formed integral therewith. When the facer 36 is installed on the frame 28, the cover plates 56 are positioned just forwardly of the casters 34 and are receivable in respective ones of the notches 52 in the base rail 24, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. Similarto the facer 36 and its corresponding opening, preferably the cover plates 56 are receivable in relatively close-fitting engagement within the notches 52. Each of the plates 56 terminates short of the lower edgeof its caster 34, as shown in FIG. 4, to prevent drag when the frame 28 is slid between its operative positions.

The back 14 is pivotally mounted on the frame 28 adjacent its rear side and, in accordance with the invention, is movable between a collapsed position, wherein it overlies the base'38 of the frame 28, in spaced parallel rela; tionship, and an erected position, wherein it projects upwardly and is oriented in generally right angular relationship to the front of the commode. The back 14 comprises a pair of side channels 58 connected at the lower ends by a transverse member 60 which is here formed integral with the channels. A plurality of spring-like bands or straps 62 are secured between the channels 58 at spaced intervals thereon from the members 60- to the top of the channels 58.

For mounting purposes, the back 14 is provided with a pair of arms 64 that project at right angles from each of the channels 58 adjacent their lower ends. L-shaped brackets 66 are secured to the end plates 40 and 42 of the frame and are arranged to receive the arms 64 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 6. Pivotal mounting is achieved by bolts 68 that project through each of brackets 66 and its respective one of the plates 40 and 42, as well as through a bore ofvthe associated arm 64 on the back. The various parts are maintained in assembly by nuts 70 threadedly engaged on the bolts. The pivotal axis of the back 14, established by the location of the bolts 68, is inwardly and upwardly of the rearward edge of the base 38 of the frame 28. Accordingly,'as the back 14 is swung down from its erected positionp as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 5, it moves slightly away from the base 38, thereby avoiding interference.

For comfort of the user, an innerspring or support unit 72 of conventional construction is disposed on the frame. A seat cushion 74 is then positioned on top of the unit. :In similar regard, a cushion 76 is secured to the back 14 by any suitable means, as by slipping it over the back in the manner shown in FIG. 5. This back cushion 76 is arranged to extend downwardly behind the rearward edge of the seat cushion 74 when the back is erected, as

shown in FIG. 5. Side cushions 78 and 80, illustrated in FIG. 1, are secured to the inner faces of the end plates 40 and 42 by any suitable means (not shown). The forward cushion 78 corresponds in size and shape to the facer 36. The rearward cushion 80 is of approximately the same size and shape, and is arranged to substantially close the front opening 22 in the commode when the frame is fully extended.

As is also shown in FIG. 5, the support unit 72 and back cushion 76 are contoured relative to one another so that they nest with one another to form a flat assembly that may pass freely through the opening 22 in the commode as the frame 28 is extended and retracted. In particular, the unit 72 tapers in depth from a maximum at the forward side of the frame 28 to a minimum at the rear side. On the other hand, the back cushion 76 tapers from a minimum thickness at its top to a maximum thickness at its lower end. Thus, the seat and back cushions 74 and 76 nest in face-to-face engagement when stored, as shown in FIG. 5.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a rugged furniture structure is provided, wherein the hardware is practical to make and easily incorporated in furniture of various designs and styles. It is a simple matter to withdraw the chair 12 from within the confines of the commode 10, or other furniture piece, as the case may be. The frame 28 is first pulled out to its limit position established by the stop flanges 51 Then with the frame 28 extended, the back 14 is erected by swinging it up to its limit position, where the lower end of the transverse member 60 abuts the base 38 of the frame 28. When it is subsequently desired to store the chair, it is then a simple matter to turn down the back 14 and slide the frame 28 back to a retracted position within the commode. The chair is then stored inconspicuously within the fumiture unit until it is subsequently needed.

While one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be understood that this was only by way of example, and that various changes in the details of the constructions and arrangements of the various parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A chair retractably extensible from the front of a unit of furniture having a horizontally disposed seatheight top, and including:

support means carried beneath said top;

a generally rectangular frame having forward and rearward ends and front and rear sides;

means including guide means on one of said support means and frame and anti-friction means on the other thereof cooperable to mount said frame for guided movement between a retracted position underlying the top and an extended position projecting forwardly from the unit of furniture with said front side disposed right angularly with respect to said front of said unit of furniture;

a back carried by said frame and shiftable to move from a storage position overlying the extended portion of said frame to an erected position approximately parallel to said sides of said frame and projecting generally upward adjacent said rear sides; and

leg means comprising a pair of casters secured in laterally-spaced relationship to the underside of said frame adjacent the forward end thereof to support said forward end of the extended portion of said frame remote from the unit of furniture which supports the other end of the extended portion of said frame in the extended position thereof.

2. The subject matter of claim 1, including cover means disposed adjacent said forward end of said frame and cooperable with said front of the unit of furniture in the retracted position of said frame to conceal said casters from view when said frame is in its last-mentioned position. x

3. The subject matter of claim 1, wherein said support means comprises a pair of elongated, horizontally disposed tracks, and wherein said anti-friction means in cludes a pair of rollers secured to said frame adjacent the rearward end thereof and engageable, one each, with said tracks and movable in rolling engagement therealong.

4. The subject matter of claim 3, wherein said guide means comprises longitudinally extending flanges on said tracks, said flanges maintaining said rollers in engagement with respective ones of said tracks during movement therealong.

5. A chair retractably extensible from the front of a unit of furniture having a horizontally disposed seatheight top, a pair of side walls depending from said top and adapted to engage the underlying surface to support said top, and a base rail formed with notches at laterally spaced positions extending across said front of the unit of furniture adjacent the lower end thereof, there being an opening in said front, said chair including:

support means carried beneath said top;

a frame having forward and rearward ends and front and rear sides and movably mounted on said support means, said frame being movable between a retracted position underlying said top and an extended position projecting forwardly from said front of the unit of furniture with its front side disposed right angularly with respect to said front of the unit of furniture;

a facer of a shape corresponding approximately to that of said opening and carried by said frame at the forward end thereof, said facer being receivable in said opening in said front of the unit of furniture in the retracted position of said frame to substantially close said opening; and

leg means comprising a pair of casters secured to said frame adjacent the forward end thereof to support said forward end of the extended portion of said frame remote from the unit of furniture which supports the other side of the extended portion of said frame in the extended position thereof, said casters passing through respective ones of said notches in said base rail when said frame is moved between its retracted and extended positions.

6. The subject matter of claim 5, including a pair of cover plates on said facer at laterally spaced intervals and depending therefrom, said cover plates being receivable in close-fitting engagement in respective ones of said notches when said frame is in its retracted position, whereby said casters are concealed from view.

7. The subject matter of claim 5, including a back carried by said frame and shiftable in said extended position of said frame to move from a storage position overlying the extensible portion of said frame to an erected position approximately parallel to said sides of said frame and projecting generally upward adjacent said rear side.

8. The subject matter of claim 5, wherein the area of said opening in said front comprises the major portion of the area of said front of the unit of furniture.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 154,453 7/ 1949 Schukat 312235 2,117,686 5/ 1938 Sponsler 297- 2,666,473 1/1954 Dean 312-235 3,021,185 2/ 1962 Kowalczyk 297143 3,160,437 12/ 1964 Hill 297-143 DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. JAMES T. MCCALL, Examiner. 

1. A CHAIR RETRACTABLY EXTENSIBLE FROM THE FRONT OF A UNIT OF FURNITURE HAVING A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED SEATHEIGHT TOP, AND INCLUDING: SUPPORT MEANS CARRIED BENEATH SAID TOP; A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR FRAME HAVING FORWARD AND REARWARD ENDS AND FRONT AND REAR SIDES; MEANS INCLUDING GUIDE MEANS ON ONE OF SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND FRAME AND ANTI-FRICTION MEANS ON THE OTHER THEREOF COOPERABLE TO MOUNT SAID FRAME FOR GUIDED MOVEMENT BETWEEN A RETRACTED POSITION UNDERLYING THE TOP AND AN EXTENDED POSITION PROJECTING FORWARDLY FROM THE UNIT OF FURNITURE WITH SAID FRONT SIDE DISPOSED RIGHT ANGULARLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRONT OF SAID UNIT OF FURNITURE; A BACK CARRIED BY SAID FRAME AND SHIFTABLE TO MOVE FROM A STORAGE POSITION OVERLYING THE EXTENDED PORTION OF SAID FRAME TO AN ERECTED POSITION APPROXIMATELY PARALLEL TO SAID SIDES OF SAID FRAME AND PROJECTING GENERALLY UPWARD ADJACENT SAID REAR SIDES; AND LEG MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF CASTERS SECURED IN LATERALLY-SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID FRAME ADJACENT THE FORWARD END THEREOF TO SUPPORT SAID FORWARD END OF THE EXTENDED PORTION OF SAID FRAME REMOTE FROM THE UNIT OF FURNITURE WHICH SUPPORTS THE OTHER END OF THE EXTENDED PORTION OF SAID FRAME IN THE EXTENDED POSITION THEREOF. 